Valentine’s Day is a week away! And, you’re in luck, it’s on a Sunday! Why is that good? Well, know you can devote your entire day to your devoted. Yup! Why not?
Valentine’s Day is the great Hallmark Holiday that guilts, usually men, into buying flowers (or other gifts such as jewelry), candy and rich dinners to prove to their significant other that, even though they said; “I love you” six weeks earlier [New Year’s Eve] and showered them with gifts seven weeks earlier [Christmas], they still love them.
And you know what I always say, “There’s no better way to say, ‘I love you,’ than exercising with your partner.” Easy now! This is a family email, so don’t go crazy!
It doesn’t have to be anything super extensive. It could be taking your dog for a longer than usual walk, a 30 minute jog or bike ride in the neighborhood or even a brisk walk to your favorite coffee house.
While you might be tempted to starve yourself throughout the day in order to “save room” or calories for dinner, don’t. Keeping your normal HEALTHY eating habits is most crucial when you know you’re gonna veer off a little at dinner.
Once at dinner, as always, avoid cream sauces or fried dishes. Instead, choose grilled or baked fish and lean meats. If an item is described as rich or heavy, steer clear. Items described as light and flaky are ok.
When considering alcohol, remember drinks made with mixers can be very high in calories. Instead, order a glass of heart healthy red wine, which averages about 75 calories per glass. A glass of champagne has more than 90 calories and a margarita can have up to 540 calories. Also, drink one glass of water per glass of wine. This will not only help you control your alcohol and food intake, it will also expedite its elimination from your body which will keep your caloric intake down and increase your chances for a more romantic evening with your mate.
As I’ve stated in past articles, save desserts for special occasions. Well, here you go. Order a dessert that the two of you can enjoy together. Sharing a dessert will automatically limit your portion size, and it can be a romantic experience as well. As you know, something made with dark chocolate is a good, heart healthy choice. But this night, order what you want and enjoy it. Indulging once in a while helps control cravings and binges in the long run.
